Scott Travis
@smtravis.bsky.social
Reporter, South Florida Sun Sentinel. My focus is on education.
A roof collapse at Rickards Middle School became a symbol of the many problems with construction in Broward schools, and a project to rebuild the school has done little to restore confidence.
Rebuild of Rickards Middle School, site of roof collapse, delayed by structural issues
The Rickards gymnasium, one of two large buildings planned for the campus, has received a red tag, or an order requiring any work to stop, due to inspection issues.
www.sun-sentinel.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A roof collapse at Rickards Middle School became a symbol of the many problems with construction in Broward schools, and a project to rebuild the school has done little to restore confidence.
Charter school operators seek to share 46 Palm Beach County campuses. Some schools got multiple requests.
Charter school operators seek to share 46 Palm Beach County campuses
The Palm Beach County School District received requests from three charter school providers expressing their intent to open “Schools of Hope” in 2027.
www.sun-sentinel.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Charter school operators seek to share 46 Palm Beach County campuses. Some schools got multiple requests.
This was surprising. Duval County School District, like many districts & govt agencies, has a portal to submit public records requests. But unlike others, it charges $7 service fee. When did service fees qualify as allowable charges? They're usually limited to copying & extensive staff time.
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This was surprising. Duval County School District, like many districts & govt agencies, has a portal to submit public records requests. But unlike others, it charges $7 service fee. When did service fees qualify as allowable charges? They're usually limited to copying & extensive staff time.
A lot of tension at Broward School Board meeting over employee discipline. Many firings and suspensions were on agenda today & union groups say recommendations were capricious or overly harsh. Most were postponed for further review. Here’s a resolution from employee groups.
November 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
A lot of tension at Broward School Board meeting over employee discipline. Many firings and suspensions were on agenda today & union groups say recommendations were capricious or overly harsh. Most were postponed for further review. Here’s a resolution from employee groups.
Broward schools superintendent aces first yearly evaluation.
Broward schools superintendent aces first yearly evaluation
The eight Broward School Board members who filled out the evaluations rated Superintendent Howard Hepburn as highly effective, the top score available.
www.sun-sentinel.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Broward schools superintendent aces first yearly evaluation.
The Broward School Board plans to reconsider its decision to enter into a $2.6 million office rental contract, a move that had raised concerns as the school district faces major budget cuts and has plenty of extra space in school buildings.
Broward School Board to reconsider $2.6 million rental property amid budget concerns
A special meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday to vote on whether to rescind a five-year agreement the Broward School Board approved June 17 with Handy, a nonprofit group.
www.sun-sentinel.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The Broward School Board plans to reconsider its decision to enter into a $2.6 million office rental contract, a move that had raised concerns as the school district faces major budget cuts and has plenty of extra space in school buildings.
I spoke Friday on WLRN radio about the effort by charter schools to move into traditional public school campuses. You can catch the discussion, which also features traditional school advocate Crystal Etienne, at the link.
www.wlrn.org/podcast/the-...
www.wlrn.org/podcast/the-...
Charter schools in public schools, the world's most revered Holocaust witness and Argentina's election
On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we tried try to understand why and how charter schools can literally move into public schools like South Florida’s — and enjoy public school resources…for...
www.wlrn.org
October 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I spoke Friday on WLRN radio about the effort by charter schools to move into traditional public school campuses. You can catch the discussion, which also features traditional school advocate Crystal Etienne, at the link.
www.wlrn.org/podcast/the-...
www.wlrn.org/podcast/the-...
Broward Schools have agreed to pay $2.6 million over the next five years to rent space in an office building for 75 employees, despite the district facing severe budget cuts and having plenty of room at underenrolled schools.
www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/24/a...
www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/24/a...
‘A total mistake’: $2.6 million Broward schools office rental raises questions
The Broward school district’s decision to rent office space, rather than use its own, could hurt its efforts to limit charter schools from occupying empty space in its schools.
www.sun-sentinel.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Broward Schools have agreed to pay $2.6 million over the next five years to rent space in an office building for 75 employees, despite the district facing severe budget cuts and having plenty of room at underenrolled schools.
www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/24/a...
www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/24/a...
Charter school operator seeks to co-locate on 27 Broward school campuses rent free.
Charter school operator seeks to co-locate on 27 Broward school campuses rent free
Miami-based Mater Academy wants to operate “Schools of Hope” on Broward public school campuses starting in August 2027 under a new state law that would allow them to operate rent free.
www.sun-sentinel.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Charter school operator seeks to co-locate on 27 Broward school campuses rent free.
Broward could close 7 schools under the latest proposal. Here's what to know. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/04/b...
Broward could close 7 schools under the latest proposal. Here’s what to know.
Broward could have at least seven fewer elementary and middle schools due to closures and consolidations next year, under the district’s latest proposal to address underenrollment.
www.sun-sentinel.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Broward could close 7 schools under the latest proposal. Here's what to know. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/04/b...
Proposal lists 34 Broward schools ‘to be addressed’ as enrollment declines.
Proposal lists 34 Broward schools ‘to be addressed’ as enrollment declines
The proposal could impact three high schools, 15 middle schools, 16 elementary schools, with possible changes ranging from expansion to closure.
www.sun-sentinel.com
August 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Proposal lists 34 Broward schools ‘to be addressed’ as enrollment declines.
'I don’t like what’s happening': Trump tries to quell MAGA blowup over Epstein
'I don’t like what’s happening': Trump tries to quell MAGA blowup over Epstein
Prominent MAGA voices have called for the attorney general’s firing amid attack over the Epstein investigation.
www.politico.com
July 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
'I don’t like what’s happening': Trump tries to quell MAGA blowup over Epstein
Many South Florida schools get A’s despite some students still struggling
Many South Florida schools get A’s despite some students still struggling
Statewide, 28 schools got A grades despite at least half of its students not being proficient in language arts, while 56 schools got the top grade even though half or more of its students scored po…
www.sun-sentinel.com
July 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Many South Florida schools get A’s despite some students still struggling
Broward schools' botched effort to buy laptops for students sparks inspector general probe.
Broward schools’ botched effort to buy laptops for students sparks inspector general probe
The Broward School District’s effort to buy laptops for each of its nearly 200,000 students has been mired by two years of delays and is now under investigation by the county’s inspecto…
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Broward schools' botched effort to buy laptops for students sparks inspector general probe.
Authorities are searching for a 57-year-old man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers.
Authorities are searching for a 57-year-old man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers
Authorities were actively searching for a suspect hours after the targeted killings.
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Authorities are searching for a 57-year-old man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers.
Broward schools chief auditor offers to separate from district www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/10/b...
Broward schools chief auditor offers to separate from district
Several School Board members said Chief Auditor Dave Rhodes maintains an adversarial relationship with district administrators who face audits and fails to provide them with adequate training. Rho…
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Broward schools chief auditor offers to separate from district www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/10/b...
State agrees to drop charge in ex-Broward schools chief Runcie's perjury case.
State agrees to drop charge in ex-Broward schools chief Runcie’s perjury case
The resolution, announced in Judge Martin Fein’s courtroom shortly before 9 a.m., eliminated the need for a trial for former Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie’s case that was…
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
State agrees to drop charge in ex-Broward schools chief Runcie's perjury case.
Trump once opened the door to the LGBTQ+ community. Now activists say he's their top threat.
Trump once opened the door to the LGBTQ+ community. Now activists say he's their top threat
When he first ran for office, Donald Trump seemed like he could be a new kind of Republican when it came to LGBTQ+ rights
abcnews.go.com
June 8, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Trump once opened the door to the LGBTQ+ community. Now activists say he's their top threat.
Broward schools chief auditor should be fired, School Board member says www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/07/b...
Broward schools chief auditor should be fired, School Board member says
Dave Rhodes, who was hired as chief auditor last year, received overall satisfactory marks from School Board members, according to evaluations released this week. But Allen Zeman, the School Board …
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Broward schools chief auditor should be fired, School Board member says www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/07/b...
Florida faces alarming rise in student absences; see the data for your school www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/05/f...
Florida faces alarming rise in student absences; see the data for your school
Absenteeism in school districts throughout Florida skyrocketed beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic — and, confounding experts’ predictions and defying educators’ hopes, it hasn’t come back down.…
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Florida faces alarming rise in student absences; see the data for your school www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/05/f...
Trial of ex-Broward schools chief Runcie to start next week after judge won't dismiss it
June 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Trial of ex-Broward schools chief Runcie to start next week after judge won't dismiss it
Longtime Broward schools volunteer removed over bullying accusation www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/02/l...
Longtime Broward schools volunteer removed over bullying accusation
Superintendent Howard Hepburn sent a letter to Nathalie Lynch-Walsh saying he was removing her from three committees due to violations of the district’s bullying and civility policies. The ac…
www.sun-sentinel.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Longtime Broward schools volunteer removed over bullying accusation www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/02/l...
Broward schools to slash budget by $65 million. Here's what may be cut.
Broward schools to slash budget by $65 million. Here’s what may be cut.
Broward schools plan to make cuts to security staff, administrators and other expenses in an effort to slash the district budget. The district has been facing enrollment drops as more families choo…
www.sun-sentinel.com
May 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Broward schools to slash budget by $65 million. Here's what may be cut.
Happy Mother’s Day my mom, Evelyn Travis, whose top joy in life has always been being a mother to her three sons.
Here’s a video I made with an old Helen Reddy song, some old home videos and a few more recent photos.
Here’s a video I made with an old Helen Reddy song, some old home videos and a few more recent photos.
May 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Happy Mother’s Day my mom, Evelyn Travis, whose top joy in life has always been being a mother to her three sons.
Here’s a video I made with an old Helen Reddy song, some old home videos and a few more recent photos.
Here’s a video I made with an old Helen Reddy song, some old home videos and a few more recent photos.
Daniel Foganholi barely confirmed to Florida Board of Education, following pro-gun op-ed.
Daniel Foganholi barely confirmed to Florida Board of Education, following pro-gun op-ed
Daniel Foganholi, a former appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Broward County School Board, was confirmed by the Florida Senate to the Board of Education by a narrow vote of 20 to 17.
www.sun-sentinel.com
April 30, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Daniel Foganholi barely confirmed to Florida Board of Education, following pro-gun op-ed.